Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) is part of the Department of Communities.

ATSIS leads and facilitates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, engagement and service.

The team is also responsible for coordinating government activity and investment in the 21 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within Queensland. It works towards improving service delivery and government coordination of policy issues that are relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders living in remote areas.

ATSIS works with all levels of government and the community to:

• close the gap in advantage and disadvantage between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Queenslanders
• affirm and promote the distinct cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their contributions to Queensland and Australia
• provide practical help and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders in realising their capabilities and aspirations
• advance reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Queenslanders

The team's current priorities include supporting and participating in:

• Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council
• Ministerial Indigenous Roundtables
• Negotiation Table program
• Government Champions program
• COAG reform work (Closing the Gap)
• Cape York Welfare Reforms

Services and products

The team delivers services and products to Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through regional ATSIS offices.

These services include:

• helping to coordinate the Local Indigenous Partnership Agreements
• promoting and supporting the work of the Government Champions
• providing local information, including local data, to support effective policy-making decisions
• coordinating information to reduce duplication (for example, coordinating visits from different government departments)
• supporting the implementation of Indigenous reform initiatives, including the Cape York Welfare Reform trials